BUSINESS WINNER

I worked as a dishwasher at Western Sizzlin’ in Lumberton on Interstate 95. I was probably the only student employee. I had just turned 16.

Vita: Born Feb. 29,1968, in Asheboro; bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from N.C. State University and law degree from UNC Chapel Hill; wife and one son.

Why he chose to specialize in this field: For someone with an engineering background who wanted to be a technology-business owner, technology law is a great fit. I get to help inordinately creative, hardworking, dynamic people and enterprises create new value, wealth and productive jobs, working with science and technology in the course of handling complex patent, trademark and other intellectual-property matters. But I don’t have to do calculus anymore.

Memorable case: Negotiating a favorable settlement in a patent-infringement case. Our client, the accused infringer, was barely profitable and its plant was one of the county’s last employers. Because we were able to effectively defend our client, the impact to the ongoing operation was minimized and job losses were avoided.

Passions: Building Legos with my son, motorcycling, playing tennis and traveling to places that offer interesting food.

Where he’d live if he had to practice somewhere else: Santa Fe, N.M., or Asheville. Ideally, I would move periodically and work in different cities around the world.

What he’d be if not a lawyer: Technology anthropologist/designer. Or a motorcycle tour guide — if I didn’t have a dependent.

Recent reading:Average Is Over by Tyler Cowen and Vietnam by Stanley Karnow. A favorite is The Big Necessity by Rose George.